1680s

Moreover, in a system of two bodies mutually acting upon each other, since the differences between their centres and the common centre of gravity of both are reciprocally as the bodies, the relative motions of those bodies, whether of approaching to or of receding from that centre, will be equal junong themselves. Therefore since the changes which happen to motions are equal and directed to contrary parts.

Principia · 1687

★ 7.5

Scientific literature

The old pond- A frog leaps in, And a splash.

Principia · 1687

★ 7.3

Haiku · Poem

Matsuo Basho

1686

★ 7.1

Poem · Satire

Great wits are sure to madness near allied And thin partitions do their bounds divide.

For who can be secure of private right, If sovereign sway may be dissolved by might? Nor is the people's judgement always true: The most may err as grossly as the few.

Absalom and Achitophel · 1681

★ 6.9

Poem · Satire

Ignorance of the law excuses no man; not that all men know the law, but because 'tis an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to confute him.

Absalom and Achitophel · 1681

★ 6.9

John Selden

Table Talk (Selden) · 1689

★ 5.1

Scientific literature

The alteration of motion is ever proportional to the motive force impressed; and is made in the direction of the right line in which that force is impressed.

There is a pleasure sure, In being mad, which none but madmen know!

Principia · 1687

★ 4.8

Play · Tragedy (play) · Comedy (play) · Tragedy · Comedy

The Spanish Friar, or the Double Discovery · 1680

★ 3.7

Play · Tragedy (play) · Comedy (play) · Tragedy · Comedy

Dead men tell no tales.

Foolish men who accuse a woman mindlessly- you cannot even see you cause what you abuse.

The Spanish Friar, or the Double Discovery · 1680

★ 3.7

Juana Ines de la Cruz

1689

★ 3.7

Play

Variety is the soul of pleasure.

Aphra Behn

1681

★ 3.6

Poem · Satire

Nor is the people's judgment always true: The most may err as grossly as the few.

Any government is free to the people under it where the laws rule and the people are a party to those laws.

Absalom and Achitophel · 1681

★ 3.6

Political literature

William Penn

Frame of Government · 1682

★ 3.6

Not Heaven itself upon the past has power; But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.

1685

★ 3.6

For present joys are more to flesh and blood Than a dull prospect of a distant good.

Half our days we pass in the shadow of the earth; and the brother of death exacteth a third part of our lives.

The Hind and the Panther: A Poem, in Three Parts · 1687

★ 3.6

Essay

Sir Thomas Browne

1682

★ 3.5

We love well only once, the first time. The loves which follow are less involuntary.

Jean de La Bruyere

1688

★ 3.5

Tragedy (play) · Tragedy

What mighty ills have not been done by woman! Who was 't betrayed the Capitol? -A woman! Who lost Mark Antony the world? -A woman! Who was the cause of a long ten years' war, And laid at last old Troy in ashes? -Woman! Destructive, damnable, deceitful woman!

Thomas Otway

The Orphan · 1680

★ 3.5

If all be true that I think, There are five reasons we should drink; Good wine-a friend-or being dry- Or lest we should be by and by- Or any other reason why.

Henry Aldrich

1689

★ 3.5

Scientific literature

Errors are not in the art, but in the artificers.

Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.

Principia · 1687

★ 2.4

Architecture aims at Eternity.

1680

★ 2.1

Autobiography and memoir

Christopher Wren

On Architecture · 1680

★ 2.0

Religious literature

He who discommendeth others obliquely commendeth himself.

Sir Thomas Browne

1682

★ 1.9

Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders than from the arguments of its opposers.

William Penn

1682

★ 1.9

Thunder is the voice of God, and, therefore, to be dreaded.

Increase Mather

1684

★ 1.9

Novel

Time, which strengthens friendship, weakens love.

Jean de La Bruyere

The Characters · 1688

★ 1.9

Between good sense and good taste there is the same difference as between cause and effect.

Jean de La Bruyere

1688

★ 1.9

There's an experienced rebel, Time, And in his squadrons Poverty; There's Age that brings along with him A terrible artillery: And if against all these thou keep'st thy crown, Th'usurper Death will make thee lay it down.

Thomas Flatman

1682

★ 1.8

The soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd, Lets in new light through chinks that Time has made; Stronger by weakness, wiser, men become As they draw near to their eternal home. Leaving the old; both worlds at once they view, That stand upon the threshold of the new.

Edmund Waller

On the Divine Poems · 1686

★ 1.8

Love ceases to be a Pleasure, when it ceases to be a Secret.

Aphra Behn

1686

★ 1.2

Comedy (play) · Comedy

Oh, what a dear ravishing thing is the beginning of an Amour!

Aphra Behn

The Emperor of the Moon · 1687

★ 1.2

By education most have been misled.